I know what car most people will pick, but I am hoping to get some non-biased opinions. The choice for me is a used IS300 (2001-2002), vs a new tC with minor options.

I have test driven both cars, and for me, here are the pros/cons:

IS300 PROS:
- Tight, precise steering
- Stiff brakes
- Solid power curve (218ft-lb torque)
- RWD
- Leather/suede (most I've looked at have this combination)
- Awesome 8-speaker sound system (for stock anyways)
- Full-size 17" spare with low profile tires
- Powertrain warranty until 70k/(6yrs) miles standard
- Very good resale value
- Up/downshift buttons on the steering wheel (auto)
- Original console/gauge design (though controversial)
- Feels like a rock solid car

IS300 CONS:
- Poor gas mileage (18mpg in the city)
- Requires premium (adds even more to the above number)
- A lot of parts are more expensive (spark plugs can run $15-$25 per piece)
- More expensive to insure than tC

tC PROS:
- Solid engine with good amounts of torque
- Glass roof with panoramic moonroofs
- Cool features throughout the car
- Runs on regular gas
- Reasonable gas mileage, especially compared to the IS (22mpg city with manual)
- Amazing features for the price
- Growing aftermarket support
- Full factory warranty for 3 years
- Good predicted resale value
- Best value for the money, bar none

tC CONS:
- New car, small issues not worked out on a good number of cars (rattles, etc)
- Steering feel not as solid as on the IS
- Gas mileage mediocre for this type of car (Civic and RSX get 25mpg+)
- Overall (duh) not as precise as the IS

I know comparing these two cars is like apples and oranges, but I want to get some opinions from you guys (especially those who have driven/owned both cars). Obviously, the IS is better in most ways, hence a new one costs 2x as much as the tC, but for the money, which is the better choice?

 

I would go for a new tC. If you get used you are picking up someone elses bad driving or possible previous accidents in that car. I would go new, you will be saving money and have a brand new car that's just as good.

I have had my bad experiances with buying a used car...NEVER AGAIN!

 

The IS300 can handle so much more power then the TC. Plus it's RWD. Granted it's used, but if you are looking at it from a build up standpoint then take a look at it's potential:
http://chronictel.net/videos/misc/vi.../Galveston.wmv

 

I'd get the tC (coming from an unbiased perso, I dont own one)...
















... or a 350z

 

its not to much apples to oranges, when i was buying my new car it came down to these 2, the big factor was prive with 0 miles, or price on a used car, that is very expensive to maintain. Lexus parts are not cheap. so buying a used car, having a loan on it, and then it breaking down and being outrageous to repair, would probably cause a problem unless you have a ton of money in savings, or a 2nd car.

 

I had a similar dilemma when I was car shopping last summer. I really liked the Accord V6 Coupe, but a new one was more than I was really willing to pay, so I started looking at used ones. I quickly realized, though, that it was going to cost me as much to get a 2-3-year old Accord V6 Coupe as it would cost me for a NEW tC. I just couldn't stomach that. I mean, we're not talking about a Hyundai Elantra or something like that -- we're talking about a Toyota, and better yet, one that looks great and is fun to drive. I chose the new car.

 

wow...no comment on the 720rwhp IS300 in the video. I guess everyone else is just happy with 140 whp.

 

I think it more depends on what your planning on doing with the car. Is this going to be a daily driver, are you going to race it, are you going to show it? How much money do you plan on spending on it in the future?

If this is just a daily driver and your not style/class concious go with the tC. However if you run with a specific crowd that is style/class concious go with the IS. The tC will be cheaper to maintain in the long run, in my opinion than the IS, but it would be very hard not to look cool stepping into and out of an IS.

 

An IS300 isn't that likely to break down. . . but maintainence will cost a pretty penny (though still not as much as VW). But then again, you won't need much maintainence. Oil changes are oil changes. . . let's see, tranny flushes can be done yourself, if you have the know how. . .same with coolant flushes. . . not going to be that different. I really doubt you're going to be replacing major components on that car. The main thing I can see that will cost more are brakes and tires. . . which isn't too far off from the tC. Bottom line is, how long do you plan to keep the car?

Another thing to consider is that the IS350 comes out this year. . . the car will take a considerable hit in depreciation when that happens. Furthermore, you are getting a brand new design with the tC, vs the IS which is older. In 3 years, the IS may become much more dated than the tC.

Stock for Stock, I'd take the tC. If I planned to go mod crazy, I'd go with the IS.

 

Donno if this would affect your decision but the IS only comes in auto, where as tC come standard manual with auto as an option.

 

Of course IS can handle a lot of power, it has the Supra engine (ge, not gte of course).

Thing is, from a repair perspective, how often do you hear about a Lexus breaking down? A friend of mine, who has done all the maintenance and repair on my Maxima is a mechanical engineer, and he used to work as a mechanic, basically said:

If the Lexus has low miles (sub 60k), doesn't leak and has a clean history: it will last forever.

Lexus always dominates reliability charts. However, I know there is a difference between a car with 10 miles, and one with 40,000. That is basically the primary reason.

 

The IS does come with a manual option actually (2002+). The thing is, I would prefer an auto in the case of the IS. Stick in the case of the tC. Mainly, because if the previous owner did not know how to drive stick, it might introduce more problems in the future. Also, a Lexus clutch = $$$. Plus, it has manual shift mode (nothing close to a manual, but more fun than a regular auto at least).

As far as what I want to do with it:

IS - nothing major in terms of mods, maybe an intake for fun, sound, etc. Not really "show" just a few nice things to make it better. As far as driving style: mostly daily driver, with some fun on the weekends. No racing.

tC - some things like suspension and minor bolt-ons. Sound, tint, etc. as well. Exact same thing as the IS, daily driver with fun on the weekends. No racing.

 

Depends on whether you're gonna leave the Lexus stock. If you leave it stock, it most likely will last forever. Start modding it and the reliability goes down. So if you want the IS and want to mod it, start a repair/maintenance fund now. If you leave it stock, I'd go with the Lexus.

 

Yes, it will be 100% stock. I might get an intake in the future, but I doubt that will affect anything reliability-wise.

 

I don't know why so many people say this. . . 6 months after it's intial debut, Lexus released a manual transmission version of the IS300, with the NA Supra 5spd manual tranny.

 

Get the Lexus then. There's a reason why Lexus cars cost more. They put more work into it and it's not just the engine.

 

Dunno. New car with 3/5 year warranty for $16K or a used one without warranty for more than $16K? Hmm... Tough choice. NOT.

 

http://www.lexus.com/models/is/5speed.html
get your facts right

 

If you live any place that sees significant snow, and you won't have a second vehicle, I highly recommend *against* the is300. My sister has a 2003 IS, 5 speed, and it is attrocious , even with the traction control. She managed to improve it a notch to sucky by buying an additional set of 16" rims mounted with snow tires for the winter.

In all other respects, the is drives soooo much nicer. The funny note is that, despite the obvious build quality difference (in lexus' favor), she was jealous when I first bought my tc

 

What's snow? I heard it exists, but I am not sure what it is.

(P.S. I live in Arizona )

Yeah, I know what you mean. The tC is an awesome car, but damn, after I drove that IS, I did not want to get out of it.